Slow Progress

The recent beautiful weather has kept me out in the garden, cleaning it up for winter. But I have been working slowly away at the small quilted piece, incorporating a shoreline scene into the square of arashi shibori that reminded me of sea and sky.

The scene is one I encountered on my post-storm beach walk of a couple of weeks ago. I think this is the first time I have brought the landscape I love and draw inner peace from into my textile work. Maybe all those garden and nature photos I post aren't so far removed from the creative work after all!

I used lots of different colours of thread and small running stitches, as well as french and bullion knots. I used a treasured length of Japanese yarn made from old fishing nets as the seaweed, which adds depth and makes the scene come alive.

I have also added the rear end of the horse. (Take that sentence out of context!) Once I get the next round of border on, I will embroider a long swirling tail. That's as far as I have planned, still trying to work spontaneously.